Carrigan had said Tuesday he planned to vote for the measure, though it is fairly common for the board chairman to abstain from votes unless there is need for a tie-breaker. He said he decided Wednesday to abstain because he wanted to be consistent, having abstained from other votes that came forward.

Carrigan said that he plans to personally vote against Amendment 64, and if he were not chair of the board he would have voted to support the resolution by Kyle Hybl, R-Colorado Springs.

"As a former prosecutor, I believe that marijuana is bad for people's health," Carrigan said.

Ludwig told his fellow board members that they haven't had enough time to weigh the pros and cons of the legislation, evaluating -- for example -- the potential effects it could have on the state's economy. He said the board was being asked to vote based on personal opinions.

"If marijuana were legalized we wouldn't allow it on campus any more than we do beer," Ludwig said.

Amendment 64 seeks to allow those 21 or older to possess small amounts of marijuana without having a medical marijuana card.

Hybl raised concerns that if Amendment 64 passed, the legalization of marijuana could deter parents from sending their students to colleges in Colorado.

"We are expressing to parents and future students that we oppose Amendment No. 64 because it's against state laws and federal laws and we're law abiding regents," Bishop said.

The Amendment 64 campaign has argued that marijuana is a safer substance than alcohol and on Tuesday slammed CU for being hypocritical, turning a blind eye to alcohol-fueled tailgate parties before football games and naming an athletics facility "Coors Events Center."

Following the vote, Bishop offered an open invitation to his fellow regents to attend the 21st annual Colorado Mountain Winefest, which begins Thursday in Palisade.

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